It All Started 50 Years Ago!!!

Yes that is right, I am talking about The Andy Griffith Show which aired on TV for the very first time on October 3, 1960. Yep, Andy and Barney and all of Mayberry are turning 50 years old. Course the pilot episode appeared on February 15, 1960 as a segment of the long-running series The Danny Thomas Show. In syndication the series is known as "Make Room for Daddy." This one episode would launch a much well beloved TV show into the hearts of many Americans.

It all started on October 3, 1960 at 9:30 pm. The channel was set to CBS and America soon heard the familiar whistle with the familiar voice saying "The Andy Griffith Show!" We soon got introduced to the Taylor family. Lovable Barney Fife and Ellie Walker would capture our hearts with her "toothy grin." And who can forget Otis Campbell, the town drunk and all round funny guy. When season three hit we met new character such as Ernest T. Bass and his rocks, the Darling Family, Malcom Merriweather and the clumsy but innocent Gomer Pyle. By the end of season 5 we say goodbye to Barney and say hello to his replacement Warren Ferguson. And the show moves to color. We also can't overlook Howard Sprague or Thelma Lou. Helen Crump enters Andy's life by the end of season 3 and he finally marries her at the beginning of the new show "Mayberry R.F.D" (and of course Barney goes with them on their honeymoon!)

Now sadly many of the characters are gone today. I'm not for sure who's still alive but these are who I know are definitely gone: Aunt Bee, Otis Campbell, Barney Fife, Howard Sprague, Floyd Lawson the Barber and Briscoe Darling. These I know are gone. Those I still think but have not researched are still alive: Andy Taylor, Opie Taylor, Helen Crump, Thelma Lou, Gomer Pyle and Goober Pyle, Deputy Warren Ferguson, Charlene Darling, Ernest T. Bass and Ellie May Walker the pharmacist's gal.

If I was to give a top ten list of my favorite episodes, I know I would leave many out, but here is one list:
10.  The New Housekeeper in season 1
9.  Christmas Story in season 1
8.  The Loaded Goat in season 3
7.  The Bed Jacket in season 3
6.  The Haunted House in season 4
5.  The Pickle Story in season 2
4.  Barney's First Car in season 3
3.  The Sermon for Today in season 4
2.  Man in a Hurry in season 3
1.  Mr. McBeevee in season 3

I know I left so many out that I like but that could sum up some of my most favorite Andy's. My most favorites season are season 1-5. Those are the black and white episodes and the ones before my most favorite character left the show: Barney Fife. The color episodes just changed to me the show. It left to me some of its innocence that the black and white seasons had. My other favorite character is Floyd Lawson the barber. I loved him and his witty dialogue he had. Sadly he dies in 1969 and only makes it to season 7 in episode #219 "Goober's Contest".

I want to thank the writers of the show and the cast of the show for putting on a really great TV program. It's been 50 years now since it all started and at least 30 years and maybe 40 years that the show has been in reruns. The Andy Griffith Show is my most favorite TV show and I wanted all who read this to know that history has been made. Thank you! And thanks for the great memories and laughs!